Sparks and tinder kit.

[essgee23]

im going to do a little test at some point next week.

im very out of practise at setting fire, so ive made a little simple tin can stove and intend to work out the best tinder that takes a spark, to get the stove started.

im going to test cotton wool balls fluffed up with differing bits on i.e. vaseline, alcohol hand gel...

now this is where i need your expertise please. what else shall i use? wil add feather sticks and dry twigs once its got going, but need to know what items can be stored in an empty 'fizzy vitamin tube' and placed in my BOB to use as my tinder. dont have time to go and get birch bark or pine resin (although will at some point soon)

let me have your thoughts and knowledge please if thats ok?

[redskies]

Dry pine cones dipped in beeswax work well


(If you're ever melting wax, always use a double boiler/bain Marie. Wax has a very low flashpoint, which is what makes it a good firelighter, but you don't want to apply direct heat to it unless 'scorched round the edges' is your idea of this years kitchen deco!)

[madmedic]

try some wire wool. i dont know how easily it lights but it fair gets going when it does.

[essgee23]

thanks for fast answers peeps.

will mainly be trying stuff on cotton wool first (time restraints) so wanted any good tips for things to use on these.

red will wax work on this?

will be getting wire wool and pine cones, thanks for advice

[redskies]

Hmm, not sure about on cotton wool. I'm actually wondering if it'd burn out too fast, if that makes sense? The idea behind using the pine cone is that it'll burn for a wee while, letting it catch the rest of your tinder.

I think that could be a suck it and see thing!

[essgee23]

hmm yeah thats what i thought, vaseline makes for a good slow burn.

imagine this: cotton wool pad, fluffed up, half smoothed with vaseline, a dab of alcohol gel on other side...and some wee shavings of fire stick before showering that mo fo in sparks... what ya reckon?

[madmedic]

there is also good old fashioned char cloth, plenty on the web on how to make it. but if i remember rightly cloth in a metal tin and bung in the oven or on cooker to remove all water content.. when it is done it looks a bit burnt or chared but lights easily especially if kept in airtight bag

[essgee23]

cheers mm, theres a post on here now about how to make it, and was watching dual survivor make it other day.

will give it a go.

what about this stuff:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pine-Resin-Colo ... 532&sr=8-1

[The Ace of Spades]

Good thread about fire making here: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=4209

Ace.

[essgee23]

thanks Ace, pretty much exactly same as what ive done here. (oooops )

will spend some time reading through that lot later, cheers